Arsenal lose their sting in Premiership run-in

In the final phase of this season's Premiership title race, it looks as if Dame Luck has turned its back on Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.

All football enthusiasts know that no honour, be it domestic or European, can be won without a shade of good fortune. No matter how good a team, if it does not enjoy a slice of luck, it is bound to miss out on big prizes. There has always been a very fine line between success and failure.

Some critics have claimed that Arsenal fell by the wayside because manager Wenger failed to bolster his squad in the last transfer window. Arsenal were indeed unlucky when they spent almost £17 million on forward Eduardo da Silva only to see the Croatian international suffer a horrendous injury midway through the season.

Cynics also often argue that Arsenal lack experience to win honours due to the presence of so many youngsters in their side. But the Londoners had a good mix of experienced players and youths and it is the 'veterans' who were found wanting when the going got tough.

In assessing Arsenal's failures this season, one has to mention two decisive episodes, the penalties conceded by Kolo Toure and William Gallas in the vital matches against Liverpool (Champions League) and Manchester United (Premiership), respectively. Two incidents that could have been avoided. The loss through injury of defender Bacary Sagna for these do-or-die duels was also a major setback for Arsenal.

After their 2-1 defeat to United at Old Trafford, a defiant Wenger rightly claimed that Arsenal would win trophies in the future. He described his players as 'absolutely amazing' to raise their performance to that level only a few days after their Champions League exit.

The goalkeeper saga, involving Manuel Almunia and Jens Lehmann, is another headache for Wenger... both are inferior to David Seaman.

The main concern lies at the back with Toure and Gallas. Toure's form has continued to dip after the African Nations Cup and, at times, he seems to be in no man's land.

Gallas clearly doesn't have the necessary qualities to be captain.

The summer departure of Thierry Henry diminished Arsenal's attacking power but the Frenchman is also paying the price for his decision to leave London.

He is surely missing the affection of the Gunners' supporters. At Arsenal, Henry was regarded as a hero but at Barcelona, he is just one of the rest and does not know what the future holds for him.

This afternoon, Arsenal are expected to be given a rousing welcome at the Emirates Stadium, despite losing the points at Manchester United.

The Gunners will combat Reading who are still in the mire of relegation following their shock home defeat to fellow strugglers Fulham.

The Royals have been sucked back into the red zone after yet another poor performance.

After their shock 1-1 draw against Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Monday, Chelsea will continue to fight for the title for as long as they have a mathematical chance.

The Blues have voiced their disapproval at the decision by the Premier League to bring forward this weekend's game at Everton to last Thursday.

Avram Grant is proud of the way his team have soldiered on in a campaign plagued by injuries to important players and disrupted by the departure of Jose Mourinho and four of his backroom team.

The Chelsea manager has also lamented the misfortune suffered by his two goalkeepers, Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, who have both been out with injuries lately.

It looks as though Grant tends to lose his plot on important occasions as happened in Monday's home draw against Wigan who hit a last-minute equaliser.

He failed to pick the right XI once more, fielding a depleted side to rest his key players for the Thursday's match against Everton. Chelsea beat Everton 1-0 to keep their title hopes alive.

As for the absence of midfielder Frank Lampard, who withdrew from the team for personal reasons shortly before kick-off on Monday, Grant said that his absence affected his side's display.

The Israeli coach refused to give out the reasons for Lampard's withdrawal.

United almost there

Although Manchester United were not at their best against Arsenal, especially in defence, they did just enough to win the points.

Alex Ferguson remarked that if United win their match against Blackburn, they would then go for the jugular and clinch the crown at Chelsea.

This afternoon, they travel to Ewood Park to take on the Rovers who are still reeling from their 3-1 reverse at Liverpool.

With four games to go, United remain in the driving seat, very close to retaining the crown.

Ex-Man. United star Lou Macari stated that Ferguson is 'years away' from retiring. Macari added that Ferguson, 66, has built arguably the best squad of his 22-year reign.

The last berth in the Champions League is set to go to Liverpool, especially if they win their match at Fulham this afternoon.

Last season, this fixture was played around this time of the year and the Cottagers prevailed to secure their Premier League status.

Manager Rafael Benitez was incensed when he heard that the club's chief executive Rick Parry was present when the two American owners met former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann.

It is indeed absurd for a man like Benitez to be treated this way.

Everton manager David Moyes has admitted that he made a mistake to transfer James McFadden to Birmingham.

Down at the bottom, the battle for relegation has intensified after sides just above the zone lost priceless points.

Bolton will have a tough encounter at Middlesbrough, who appear to be playing out of their skin lately.

The Wanderers' fans have turned against their beleaguered manager Gary Megson.

In this same fixture last season, Boro crushed Bolton 5-1.

Birmingham, who came from behind to grab a point at home to Everton, will have no helping hand from their neighbours and rivals Aston Villa in the Midlands derby at Villa Park after the Villans hit six past Derby away.

Blues boss Alex McLeish fears he will face competition for the permanent signature of Argentine striker Mauro Zarate at the end of the season.

The Northeast derby between Newcastle and Sunderland always engenders that special kind of feeling and critics predict a cracker since both sides are in a rather comfortable position in the league.

This will also be a duel between Sunderland's young manager Roy Keane and the experienced Kevin Keegan.